The "Thunder on the Mountain" fireworks display is an annual tradition for thousands of Birmingham-area residents. (Birmingham News/Hal Yeager)

The Birmingham City Council Tuesday will vote on a $10,000 last-minute allocation for the "Thunder on the Mountain" Independence Day fireworks display at Vulcan Park.

But the request won't sail through the council unchallenged. Several members said this tight budget year, with unpaid furloughs possible for city employees, is the wrong time for the council to spend money on fireworks.

Without additional money the show will continue but will be scaled back, said Vulcan Park and Museum President Darlene Negrotto.

Negrotto this afternoon said the group had reached an agreement for $10,000 from a private group, bringing the needed amount down to $10,000. She declined to name the group until the agreement is signed.

Council members discussed funding for the event during Monday's Budget and Finance Committee meeting.

Councilwoman Valerie Abbott later called it "the wrong request at the wrong time, being made to the wrong people."

"As much as I like Vulcan and I like the fireworks, this is not something I could vote for in good conscience," she said.

Councilwoman Lashunda Scales, who attends the annual event, also said the timing is wrong for city funding. "We have to prioritize the difference between paying our city employees vs. funding events at their expense," she said.

Negrotto said Wednesday is the deadline to come up with funding, or the show will be scaled down.